High velocity electrostatic coalescing oil/water separator

Abstract

An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet vessel with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, the length thereof being a multiple of the largest vessel cross-sectional dimension. A separation vessel having an oil outlet and a divergent water outlet has an inlet passageway in communication with the inlet vessel lower outlet end. At least one electrode is positioned within the inlet vessel by which a mixture flowing therethrough is subjected to an electric field.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture, comprising:
 an elongated inlet vessel sloped relative to horizontal and forming a confined flow path; 
 an elongated separation vessel sloped relative to horizontal and including an oil outlet located toward an upper end and a water outlet located toward a lower end and an inlet passageway in communication with the confined flow path; and 
 at least one electrode positioned within at least one of said inlet vessel and said separation vessel to subject a mixture flowing therethrough to an electric field. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said separation vessel has a longitudinal axis and wherein said inlet vessel has a longitudinal axis that intersects said separation vessel longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 2  in which said inlet vessel longitudinal axis intersects said separation vessel longitudinal axis at a right angle. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said at least one of said inlet vessel and said separation vessel has a longitudinal length at least twice the longest cross-sectional vessel dimension. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 1  in which at least one of said inlet vessel and said separation vessel is oriented at an angle of about 45° relative to horizontal. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one electrode is insulated or uninsulated. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the mixture is subject to two, separate electric fields provided by separate electrodes as it flows between said inlet vessel inlet and said separation vessel oil outlet. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a liquid level control secured to said separation vessel below said inlet passageway by which a liquid level is maintained within a lower portion of said separation vessel. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1  including two or more of said apparatuses, wherein the apparatuses are arranged in series whereby said separation vessel upper oil outlet of a first apparatus is connected to an inlet end of a second inlet vessel or a second separation vessel. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a horizontal transition vessel interposed between said inlet vessel and said separation vessel, wherein a water collection portion is in communication with the horizontal transition vessel. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising the outlet end of said inlet vessel being located below the inlet end. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising the outlet end of said inlet vessel being located above the inlet end.